A collection of spiritual messages written for the Christ Renews His Parish email list for St. Joseph's Parish in Cottleville, Missouri. I moved away from St. Joseph's in the summer of 2010, but the email list lives on!

19 And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.--------------

This is the institution of the priesthood. The words certainly have value to us all, but take note that the words were spoken directly to the Twelve and their successors. Christ is consecrating the first priests, and sending them out into the world. Just last weekend, Father Skillman received this very consecration.

Priests are individuals and have been given different gifts. Some give great homilies, some are skilled spiritual directors, some are gifted in the confessional, and some have been blessed with the ability to head the flock. We are blessed to have three such men with us at St. Joseph's. They all have different gifts; however, all of them have been consecrated in the truth, and have been sent out into the world by our Savior.

About Me

I'm a "Cradle Catholic" who woke up spiritually in 2000 at a prayer breakfast in St. Louis, MO. After immersing myself in Scripture in a non-denominational group, I began to struggle with the Catholic Church and began to consider myself Protestant in thought.

One day at Mass, I finally put the question to God: "Which is true and where do you want me?" The answer was immediate and obvious -- I belonged in the Catholic Church. Since then I have embraced the Faith. God has rewarded me generously and little by little has shown me the reasons for all of the things I questioned. This blog began as a series of emails that went out to about 30 people per day. It currently goes out to more than 200 people per day. I've saved my messages here out of necessity, and a desire to look back over my own spiritual development over time.